Assistant Executive Director

Background

The Church Benefits Association (CBA) is the largest association of church benefits boards and plans in the United States. Its 51 members represent most major faith traditions, including many Christian and Jewish denominations. Its stated mission is to promote excellence and preserve the traditions of church benefits boards and church benefits plans through education, collaboration, and fellowship.

CBA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that had historically outsourced its day-to-day operations and annual conference planning functions to an association management company. It has hired a part-time Executive Director, and is now seeking to hire a full-time Assistant Executive Director (AED) to build upon its strengths and move CBA's mission forward, including operationalizing a recently completed strategic plan.

Position

Reporting to and partnering closely with the Executive Director, the Assistant Executive Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership of the organization, advancing a sound organizational vision, maintaining and growing excellent programs and services for all CBA member organizations, and working collaboratively with the ED and the CBA Board of Directors to ensure that the CBA mission is fulfilled. The successful candidate will coordinate with the Church Alliance (CA) activities, a partner organization to the CBA.

The Assistant Executive Director will work to implement priorities identified in the recently completed strategic plan, which includes four strategic priorities: program & resources, membership, people and infrastructure, and financial. The AED will serve as a public voice for the CBA, marketing and delivering its services to its member organizations. The AED will interact with many different constituencies, including CBA Board members, member leaders and their staff, and CBA partner organizations, among others. The AED will manage all annual CBA conference-related activities, coordinate board-related functions of the CBA, and maintain a strategic mindset about improving how the CBA serves its member organizations. A part-time bookkeeper and part-time administrative assistant supports the ED and AED on financial and administrative matters.

Successful candidates will possess the communication and executive management skills to stimulate creativity and continue the delivery of excellent customer service. The AED will work closely with the ED and the Board to promote an open, inclusive environment that emphasizes cooperation and teamwork. In addition, the successful candidate will possess sound judgment, a sense of humor, diplomacy, and excellent interpersonal and managerial skills.

Ideally, the Assistant Executive Director will demonstrate the capability to be promoted to the Executive Director position.

The Assistant Executive Director has the following responsibilities:

Membership Services

• Develop procedures and implement technologies to ensure enhanced delivery of member services, including requests for information, updating and maintenance of knowledge bases, and other ad-hoc requests
• Design, implement, and maintain a web-based repository of curated documents for access by members
• Coordinate the work of purchasing coalitions to maximize return to member organizations
• Coordinate special interest committee leadership at the annual conference and other times throughout the year
• Serve as a connection point between and among employees of member organizations for collaboration, resource sharing, and enhancing the member experience

Annual Meeting Management

• Partner with the Annual Meeting Planning Committee and the outside conference planning firm to select and secure meeting locations, including contracting with hotels and other related vendors
• Establish and monitor the annual meeting budget with the Planning Committee, including preparing financial reports as needed
• Develop, in coordination with the Planning Committee, the program and conference content, as needed
• Coordinate Planning Committee meetings, including site visits and program planning sessions
• Manage conference sponsorship outreach to CBA member business partners

Information Technology & Communication

• Develop and maintain a web-based member database that enables secure access by CBA members to various kinds of information including member contact information, the knowledge base, etc.
• Develop and maintain a web-based Board of Directors and committee database for secure access by CBA Board members
• Develop and maintain CBA website, incorporating appropriate access to member-related databases
• Develop and implement a multi-channel (email, social media, web, mail) communications strategy in partnership with the Board

Assist the Executive Director with Leadership & Executive Management

• Lead and execute the strategic, operational, and creative direction of the CBA, ensuring that the CBA's vision, values, brand, and strategic priorities are evident and consistent in every aspect of the organization
• Work with the Board to implement the strategic plan and articulate and develop strategic initiatives; evaluate progress on strategic objectives with the Board
• Lead special projects approved by the Board, such as grant proposals, buying coalitions, or other external work with funders
• Update and maintain policies and procedures manuals
• Communicate relevant board actions to the membership

Assist the Executive Director with Financial Management

• Prepare the CBA annual budget in partnership with the Finance/Budget Committees/treasurer
• Oversee the outside accountant in their preparation of the independent audit and tax filings

Qualifications

• Belief in the mission and purpose of CBA, and has an understanding and appreciation for religious organizations
• Experience as a senior executive in the association management, nonprofit, event / program management, and/or business sectors with a proven track record of achievement in organizational leadership, management, administration, and financial operations
• Strong leadership, business acumen, strategic planning, and implementation skills
• Skilled at leveraging technology to deliver on an organization's strategic objectives
• Experience and comfort working with a volunteer board of directors
• Excellent presentation and communication skills; ability to influence, motivate and inspire volunteers
• Self-starter with demonstrated success in building and growing new organizations, departments, or initiatives
• Excellent interpersonal, political, negotiation, and diplomatic skills
• Ability to maintain a model of high personal, ethical, and professional standards
• Ability to gain the trust and respect of multiple constituencies, including the Board and member organizations
• Comfortable working with stakeholders in a remote environment in which colleagues work across locations and time zones and technology is used heavily for communications and project management
• An understanding of the kinds of products and services, including retirement and health benefits provided by CBA members to their constituents (or be positioned to acquire that knowledge)